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Exclusive: How my interview with Victor Garber ended with him confirming that he is gay
I didn’t plan on asking Victor Garber about his private life.
During the recent TV Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, the actor was onstage with the cast of the new NBC drama Deception and I knew that I’d want to chat with him one-on-one after the panel.
So I quickly looked at his Wikipedia page and there it was: ‘He lives in New York with his companion of 13 years, Rainer Andreesen.’ I then found all kinds of photos of this most handsome couple together.
I wondered, ‘Did he come out publicly and I missed it?’
After the panel, I still had that question in mind as I talked to Garber about the new series, his role in Argo and whether or not he was going to do a guest spot on Smash which was also stated on Wikipedia.
“Wikipedia is bullshit,’ Garber said in telling me he was not doing Smash.
We were being rushed off the stage so the next panel could be set up so I thanked him and we parted ways. I sat down but couldn’t help wondering: “Did he come out and I missed it?”
So I got up, walked into the lobby of the Langham Huntington Hotel and found Garber. I just decided to ask him: “Wikipedia lists Rainer Andreesen as your partner. I wondered if that’s something that’s public, that you’ve confirmed.”
He seemed surprised by the question but said: ‘I don’t really talk about it but everybody knows.”
Garber then added: “He’s going to be out here with me for the SAG Awards.”
So in the end, our chat ended up being a bit more interesting than I thought it would be!
Here is some of what else he had to say:
On his new series, NBC’s Deception: “I’m a lucky actor, I work. But this is the first series that’s come along since Eli Stone, three years ago, that I really wanted to do. It was smart, it was interesting, it was dynamic and it wasn’t like the show was going to rest on me. I thought this was the perfect thing at this point in my life. It had everything I like: the complexity of the character, the family drama, all of the duplicity. For an actor, it’s like getting a dessert – like getting what you hope for and rarely get. I love to work and I love the idea of going to work every day and also the fact that I get to do it in New York. ‘It’s like a gift. I feel like I won the lottery.’
On being in the cast of Argo: ‘It’s such a gratification because of my relationship with Ben (Affleck) and Jennifer (Garner) to see him emerge now as one of the great directors which I’ve always felt since Gone Baby Gone. To be a part of it is like the icing on the cake. It’s incredibly thrilling for me. And the fact that people love the movie so much means the world.’
RELATED POST: Commentary: On Victor Garber and breaking the story the first time Jodie Foster kind of came out publicly
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
James says:
Great scoop, Greg! I love your web site and check it daily.
Dan says:
Greg, you are gay yourself aren’t you?
Greg Hernandez says:
Dan, gay as a $3 bill.
Robert Kabwe says:
I’ve always loved his work – So many great gay rolemodels coming out of the woodwork, Im glad Victor told it like it is. You ask all the right questions Greg:)
Larry says:
Wow I never knew he is gay. I love his work, Thank you so much Greg, he’s such a great role model for young people like me.
Linda Luker says:
He is so funny in Web Therapy which is one of the funniest shows ever. He plays the husband of Lisa Kudrow and turns out to be her gay husband. A very innovative clever show. Not sure if it has another season but worth checking out what is there. Also stars Lily Tomlin and the scotsman who is also on Good Wife. Brain dead ..can not think of his name.
David Ehrenstein says:
I’ve loved Victor ever since I saw him in the original Broadway production of “Sweeney Todd’ where he played Anthony the sailor and sang “Joanna.”
Back in the day his boyfriend was
(wait for it)
Nathan Lane.
Avedon says:
I was momentarily amused by “gay as a $3 bill.” but then I thought, “Wait – a $3 is a fake without value; gays are not.”
See, you got me all wound up. Any minute now I will start ranting on “hopefully” and the serial comma.
Jeremy says:
So he didn’t like being on Alias? I thought he was fantastic in that series, and he was even nominated for Emmys.
Kent says:
Yeah but did Jodie Foster know Victor Garber was gay?
Daniel says:
Greg, you’ve made it! You are listed in US magazine.
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/victor-garber-reveals-hes-gay-and-dating-artist-rainer-andreesen-2013151
bearmon2010 says:
Impressive. I never recognized him as gay but hey.. I am glad he is gay because many people view gay as feminine and its not true. Many macho gay men are out there. Congratulations.
SNAPPS says:
Wonderful article! I like Victor Garber and he’s been a great actor. I think he’s great on Deception and I’m looking forward to more of his work in the future. I get this recorded from primetime since I can’t be home during that time using my DISH Hopper DVR from my job DISH. There’re lots of great shows on primetime, and now I can activate the PrimeTime Anytime feature and get all four major networks recorded to one TV. It used to be hard to catch all my shows working in the evening and tying up all the DVRs at home, which never made the family happy. This has become one of my favorite features and it’s made things in my home simple.
FilterMan says:
That’s not ” gay as a 3$ bill” it’s ” queer as a 3$ bill” and queer meaning odd, not gay.. sorry :O)
ken says:
Just saw the mention in US Weekly – Nicely done, Greg!
bluegnu63 says:
BTW, Victor married Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner at Turks and Caicos.
bluegnu63 says:
LOVED Victor in the 1973 film adaptation of “Godspell”.:)
Derrick says:
Now I didn’t see that one coming… But I’m glad he’s here. Does anyone know where there is a Gaydar repair center? Mine must be on the blink.
Adam says:
How about not forcing the guy into the closet with media-enforced homophobia? A question like “have you confirmed” is so degrading. Confirmed that he’s an IV drug user? LOL. Here is what you should have said, “I saw on Wilipedia that you’ve been with your handsome boyfriend for 13 years. Are you two going to get married now that it’s legal?” You’d never ask a straight actor to confirm he’s straight if Wikipedia listed his long-time girlfriend. Why should the reverse be entitled to something the implies the disclosure of something bad?
carschmn says:
I love how he admitted to being gay but possibly being on “Smash” was an insult.
sara says:
I really loved him in titanic
It was the best film that i have seen and victor Garber is the best – really the best – actor that i saw in my life !!!
loretta says:
I’m 71 and think you are one of the best
Debbie says:
I have loved Victor Garber since I was in college and saw “Godspell”. I have followed his career ever since, and have had the pleasure of meeting him three times
Stephane says:
He is my Idol…I always followed him not personally…his work, on stage, etc he is so Elegant, and very classy
Stephane says:
I hope that some time…One day I will have the pleasure to meet him in person and give a kiss, a hug and shake his hands…as a proud Canadian that me makes me feel…!